Stakeholders unveil 5-year mechanisation plan for LGs

Groups of stakeholders in the agriculture sector have launched a Comprehensive Local Agricultural Plan (C-PLAN) under which agro equipment centres will be set up in each local government to enable farmers hire same at lower price.
C-LAP, an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of local government areas in agriculture and allied sector, is aimed to assess plan for the infrastructure required to support the agriculture development.
Launching the blueprint for agricultural revolution in Nigeria at the first annual international seminar Abuja, the Director, Projects and International Cooperation, Dr. Tanay Joshi, said the project will create over a million jobs, adding that the plan will enhance ability for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmers’ income.
He said: “C-LAP is a bottom up approach which aims to eliminate hunger through agriculture policy reforms and initiatives that will help small scale farmers achieve sustainable food supplies, provide jobs, access markets and increase exports significantly. It will be implemented in the 774 local government over an initial five years period.
“ Under this project, component of food security and livelihood enhancement have been given top priority. The project will intervene in all sectors of agriculture and in other to combat poverty and improve livelihoods across the nation and assure food security,” he said.
The initiative will also help to create jobs, market for farm produce and engage relevant partners across the value chain with supports from the association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
According to him, it will establish primary, secondary and tertiary markets at 774 local governments to support distribution and export market at national level by linking the farmers to markets and opportunities.
He stated that the project will create opportunities by building food processing industries and agro-equipment centres in the LGAs as well as customized mega food park for each state.
“So we have prepared to purchase 3,874 tractors, 15, 048 combine harvesters and 24,668 farm tools,” Joshi said, adding that, “The main thrust of the experts and policy makers of C-LAP is to consider agricultural growth as a tool for poverty reduction and the need to diversify agricultural production on the basis of geographical locations and commercialisation of agro-products.
“This plan will also create business opportunities for franchise operators, jobs for the youth and reduce wastage of agricultural produce, as there is a defined retail network to absorb production.
“It will empower farmers and agripreneurs through self-employment as an option for generating additional income and boosting full-fledged livelihood,’’ he said
FG releases National Youth Manifesto
The federal governments’ efforts at getting youth engaged in agriculture is yielding fruits as stakeholders at the second National Youth Agric Festival launched a National Youth Manifesto on agriculture for Nigeria.
This will serve as a national blueprint to guide government and its partners on the needs and aspirations of the youth in agriculture.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the festival, the CEO and Founder, Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative, Barr. Nkiruka Nnaemego, said the document developed by several youth focus organisation will enhance government efforts towards youth participation in the sector.
She said in line with her organisation’s mandate of mainstreaming youth into agricultural revolution, “we are joining Oxfam Nigeria and Voice for Food Security to advocate for active citizens voices on right to food and increased public investments in small scale agriculture under the United4Food Campaign.
According to her,YFarm project will be partnering with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) to implement a project themed: “Building a Climate Resilient Generation to train 80 rural youth selected from eight states on climate smart agriculture.
The Policy Officer, Development Finance, One Campaign, Fiona Robertson, stated that her organisation is also partnering with Fresh and Young Brains Development to host the maiden edition of the YFarm Agrifest Technology Village.
She said One Campaign, her organisation has sponsored five young innovators selected from four different states to participate in the technology fair. This according to her will help to identify, promote and possibly upscale youth-led agric technological solutions for increased youth participation, agricultural productivity, food and nutrition security.
This according to him will contribute towards employment creation, income generation, food security, livelihoods enhancement and poverty alleviation.

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